Travel Pillow for Arm Securement

ABSTRACT

A travel pillow device that may be secured to any of a user&#39;s limbs. The device comprises a pillow with an elastic securing strap extending from a one side seam, across the back of the pillow, to a second side seam. The securing strap may be uniform and continuous or may be separated into two parts that are secured together by fasteners. The securing strap facilitates removable securement of the pillow to a user&#39;s hand, arm, foot, or leg. The head of the user or another person, such as a child can then be leaned on the pillow. Alternatively the pillow can be secured to a hand or foot and used to support another limb, possibly an injured one. The travel pillow is thus a versatile e and freely positionable comfort and therapy device that can be used in a variety of locations and environments.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/560,583 filed on Nov. 16, 2011, entitled “Arm Pillow”, for the purpose of maintaining continuity of disclosure, the aforementioned application is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a travel accessory. More specifically, it relates to a travel pillow having a strap that extends across one side. The pillow can be secured to the arm or hand of a user via the strap. Travellers will appreciate the convenience a pillow that can be positioned anywhere along the user's arm or hand to provide customizable comfort.

People travelling long distances often find that they must be seated for a lengthy period of time. It is common for people to sleep while on long trips, but they rarely sleep soundly due to uncomfortable seating conditions. Most airplane, car, and bus seats do not provide a soft place for a user to rest his or her head. Small disposable pillows are sometimes provided but these are small and cannot be secured in place so they slide around while the user is sleeping. Users are often forced to pin the pillow between their head and the wall of an airplane cabin or car door, in order to get some sleep. Unfortunately, the size and lack of stuffing in these pillows makes them hard to use if there is not a vertical surface available for a user to lean upon. A user seated in the middle row of an airplane cabin may have nowhere to lean but backwards into his seat and thus may find the provided pillow unhelpful.

Additional problems are posed by persons with children or infants. Children frequently desire to rest upon their parents or other siblings while the child is travelling. A disposable pillow may be placed under the child's head but can easily become dislodged while the child sleeps. Slipping of the pillow can result in the child waking early, or even falling off the parent's lap. To prevent angry or injured children, parents must find ways to secure a pillow in place for the child to rest upon. A travel pillow is needed that can be removably secured to any portion of a user's arms or legs, or even their seat belt strap, to permit the user to rest his head, or that of another.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The present invention is a small pillow having an elastic strap secured to one side. The elasticity of the strap permits the pillow to be secured to any portion of a user's arm or leg. Thus the pillow can be used to support the user's head as he or she rests in any desired position. Alternatively, it the pillow can be secured to a user's hand or leg in order to cradle the head of another person. The prior art fails to disclose a device

Some devices in the prior art are removably secured to a portion of a person's arm. A cushioned speaker system is disclosed by Zarrella, U.S. Pat. No. 6,526,612 having a small hand cushion. The device comprises a palm-sized cushion, adapted to fit within the area of a user's palm, a rear strap , an internal speaker, and an audio jack. A portable music player such as an mp3 player is plugged into the audio jack to facilitate playback of audio through the internal speaker. The user places the strap around his dingers and places his thumb on the outside of the pillow to steady the device. The pillow can then be placed up to a user's ear so that he can listen to music while lying on the handheld pillow.

Koch, U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,520 discloses an arm pillow having two distinct pillows. The device is adapted for use on a person's elbow and comprises two pillows joined together along one edge and parallel straps disposed on the rear of both pillow. The pillows are formed by two sheets of material that are joined around the edges and along a center seam to form two pockets. The pockets are filled with stuffing. In use, the first pillow is positioned along the interior of a person's upper arm while the second pillow rests along the interior of the lower arm. The joint seam between the two pillows is positioned along the interior of a person's elbow joint. A third device is disclosed by Sue, U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,717. Sue teaches a pillow that is wrapped around the lower arm of a user and secured in place with a securing means. The wrap-around arm pillow is used to cradle the head of an infant.

None of these devices are as versatile as the present invention. They are adapted for use on the inner palm, the elbow, and the lower forearm, but are ill suited for use on other parts of a user's arm or leg. The present invention provides a portable pillow that can be easily removed from any particular location on a user's limb and moved to another location.

Other devices address the need for pillows that can be secured to a vehicle seat. Syick, U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,094 teaches a travel pillow that secures to the chest strap of an automobile seat so that a user can rest his head on the pillow while travelling in the car. The device includes a pillow and a strap having several panels on each side. The strap removably secures to the rear of the pillow and opposing ends of the strap can attach to each other. Thus the strap can encircle a seatbelt and secure the pillow to the seatbelt via fastener panels disposed on the strap.

A removable head cushion is disclosed by Wilcox, U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,462. The cushion has a flat back and a large concave front, forming two sidewalls to comfort and support a user's head. A large strap is secured to the either sides of the cushion to secure it to the headrest of a vehicle seat. When the cushion is strapped in place, the user rests his head within the concave region of the cushion. The sidewalls prevent the user's head from rolling off the side of the cushion while the user sleeps.

Lastly, Havenworth, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0088168 discloses a flat mat pillow with a strap attaché to opposing sides. It can be wrapped around the forearm of a user in a fashion similar to that taught by Sue. The pillow may also be wrapped around the headrest of a vehicle seat or used as a cushion to sit on. Though Havenworth does disclose a multi-purpose device, the rectangular flat pad is not well adapted for use with any of a user's limbs.

The car devices are well suited for use on various parts of an automobile or airplane seat. They are not, however, adapted to be used on any part of a user's arm or leg. The present invention solves this problem by providing a small pillow that can be removably secured to any portion of a user's arm or leg, thereby providing support to the user or another person.

The present invention offers a versatile travel pillow that can be secured to any portion of a user's limbs. As such it can accommodate the user's head or limbs, or those of another person who is resting on the user. It substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing travel pillow devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of travel pillow devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new versatile positioning capability wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when securing the pillow to various parts of a user's arms or legs.

The present invention is a travel pillow that can be secured to any part of a user's arms of legs or even the strap of a vehicle seatbelt. The pillow is round or square and is approximately a foot in diameter. A strap is secured to the pillow at opposing side seams. This strap is preferably elastic to permit users of different sizes to use the device comfortably. In a first embodiment the strap is a single, uniform elastic band extending across the rear of the pillow. In an alternative embodiment the strap comprises two parts, each secured to a side seam of the pillow and meeting in the middle. The parts are removably secured by a fastening means such as hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps or the like.

Any part of a user's hands, arms, legs, or feet can be used as an anchor for securing the pillow. The elastic strap can stretch to accommodate larger body parts as needed. Users can secure the device to their hand, so that they may hold the head of a sleeping child. A user can also secure the device to his upper arm and lay the arm down on a flat surface to support his head while he sleeps against the pillow. The device can also be used therapeutically. For instance it can be secured to the top of a foot so that the other foot may rest on top of the pillow. In this way a user can rest the injured foot on a pillow without fearing that the pillow will slip out of place during use.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved travel pillow device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a travel pillow that is removably securable in a variety of positions to provide comfort and support to users in different environments.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pillow that can be secured to any portion of a user's arms or legs, and may also be secured to a vehicle seat belt.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic pillow that can be secured to different parts of a user's body to cushion sore or injured limbs.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device that can be used by a parent or caregiver to provide comfortable head support to a resting child.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a rear view of a round travel pillow with a solid strap extending across the back.

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of a square pillow with two strap parts that secure together via hook and loop fasteners.

FIG. 3 shows a picture of the travel pillow in use for supporting a user's head while she sleeps.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the square pillow with the two strap parts unsecured.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the travel pillow device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing removably positionable support to a user's head or limbs. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a round version of the travel pillow device. The pillow 11 has a circular perimeter shape. A rear portion of the pillow may be relatively flat so as to conform to the shape of the attached limb or may have a convex dome shape to provide more pillow support. Likewise, the front of the pillow may have a flat, domed, or concave shape. The concave shaped front portion being ideal for cradling the head of an infant or an injured limb, while the dome shape will be useful to travellers wishing to rest their head against the pillow. The precise shape of the front and rear portions will vary in manufacture to provide users with different support options.

A securing strap 12 extends across the back of the pillow and is attached at the pillow's side seams. The strap length is sufficient to extend across the entire rear face of the pillow without distorting the pillow's shape but should not allow and slack in the strap. In a preferred embodiment, the strap is made of elastic so that it can stretch to accommodate a user's arm or leg. The arm or leg is inserted between the strap and the rear portion of the pillow and the device is then slid upward to a desired position. Inelastic straps are unable to stretch and thus cannot accommodate different portions of a user's limbs due to size differences. Therefore, it is essential that both the elastic strap and the travel be flexible so as to comfortably mold to the shape of a user's limb. Any non-abrasive elastic material may be used in the construction of the strap

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the travel pillow device. The pillow 11 has a square shaped perimeter to provide a user with greater surface area for resting on. Like the circular embodiment the rear and front portions of the pillow may have flat, domed, or concave surfaces. The securing strap 12 is separated into two parts. These parts removably attach to one another via hook and loop fasteners 13 secured to the end of each strap. The fasteners may alternatively be snaps, hook and eye fasteners, buttons, or any similar fastening means. Separation of the securing strap into two parts makes positioning of the device more convenient for a user. Instead of having to slide the device over a hand or foot, the user can simple place the rear portion of the pillow against the desired location and then secure the straps parts around the limb. As in the primary embodiment, the strap should be elastic to permit it to stretch around larger portions of a user's limbs. The device may also be secured around other objects such as a vehicle safety belt. In this way, the travel pillow device provides users with many options for placement of the support pillow.

Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown a picture of the device in use by a sleeping woman. The securing strap 12 is positioned around an upper portion of the woman's arm 14, holding the pillow 11 in place. The woman's arm is raised so that the pillow is placed up against her head 15. Unlike standard travel pillows, the present invention will not slip out of position while the woman sleeps, because it is secured to her arm by an elastic strap. If the woman desires to change sleeping positions, she can easily slide the device to another portion of her arm or remove it and place it on the other arm.

A side view of the device is illustrated in FIG. 4. The pillow 11 has a domed front portion and a flat rear portion. The relatively flat shape of the rear portion permits the pillow to curve around a user's limb, conforming slightly to the shape of an arm or leg as needed. The securing strap 12 is depicted in the two-part embodiment, having hook and loop fasteners 13 attached to the ends of the strap parts. When these fasteners are joined together the strap presents an elastic means for securing the travel pillow to any of a user's limbs.

In use an individual determines where on his or her arm to place the device. Next, the user's hand is inserted between the securing strap and the rear portion of the pillow. The user then slides the device upward along the arm until it reaches the desired position. Then, the user can maneuver the pillow portion around the arm until it is properly in place. Either the user or a another person can then lean against the pillow without fear of it slipping out of place.

Alternatively, the user can slide his or her hand between the strap and the pillow and then position the pillow along the interior of the hand or forearm. The arm can be laid on the user's lap, and a sleeping infant or child placed on the lap as well. The child rests his or her hand on the pillow, supported by the user's arm.

In another alternative, the user can secure the pillow to a foot, hand, ankle, or wrist. The pillow is then used to provide cushioned support to an injured limb. In this way, the pillow is used as a therapeutic device that can be placed between an injured limb and a support to reduce pain and discomfort experienced by the user while the limb is held in place.

The travel pillow device presents a versatile pillow that can be secured to any of a user's limbs or to another structure. The pillow has either a solid and uniform securing strap or a two-part strap that is removably securable via fastening means. Either embodiment of the strap is elastic to allow the strap to stretch and wrap around larger parts of a user's body. The pillow itself may have a variety of perimeter shapes. Its rear portion is preferably flat but may also be domed. The front portion may be flat, domed, or concave. The rear portion may be constructed of, or coated with a an anti-slip material having a high coefficient of friction, to further assist the device with maintaining its position. Many different types of pillows may be used in the creation of the device. It may be filled with natural or synthetic fill materials, water, or air. Different types of pillow will be better suited to particular uses and thus several varieties of pillow may be contemplated for manufacture.

The travel pillow device is useful for providing a non-slipping, freely positionable support cushion. It can be secured to any of a user's limbs to provide support for the person's head, an injured limb, or the head or limbs of another person. It can be utilized in a user's home, on an airplane, in a car, while seated at a table or desk, and any other place where the user needs a cushioned support. The invention is unique in its versatility and ability to provide comfort to a user in a variety of environments.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A travel pillow, comprising: a pillow having a front portion and a rear portion; an elastic securing strap extending across said rear portion of said pillow. 2) The device of claim 1, wherein said securing strap comprises a first and send part, each part being secured to a side of said pillow and having a free end, wherein a fastening means is secured to each free end for removably securing said free ends together. 3) The device of claim 2, wherein said fastening means is hook and loop fasteners. 4) The device of claim 1 wherein said rear portion is constructed of an anti-slip material. 5) The device of claim 1, wherein said rear portion is flat. 6) The device of claim 1, wherein said rear portion is domed. 7) The device of claim 1, wherein said front portion is domed. 8) The device of claim 1, wherein said front portion is concave. 9) The device of claim 1, wherein said front portion is flat. 10) The device of claim 1, wherein said pillow is 10″-12″ in diameter. 11) The device of claim 1, wherein said pillow is inflatable. 12) The device of claim 1, wherein said pillow can be filled with water. 13) The device of claim 1, wherein said pillow is filled with cotton. 